4. Eric Gordon
Gordon was viewed as one of the steals of the offseason as he signed a two-year $6.5 million contract with the Suns. The 6’3 guard chased his first championship and wanted to play with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix.
Gordon is already unhappy with his role, and the team is struggling. Injuries have played a factor, but their uneven roster construction hasn’t helped.
The Lakers are 28th in 3-pointers made and attempted this season. They would love to have another floor spacer who can handle the ball and run the offense. It is the role they envisioned for Gabe Vincent, but he won’t be able to fill it for the majority of the season.
Gordon is averaging 13.2 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 steal in 31.7 minutes per game for the Suns. He is shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3-point range. Both are above his career averages, but there would have been plenty of open looks in Los Angeles too.
The Lakers could have signed Eric Gordon for considerably less than Vincent and gotten more offensive production. The 35-year-old has slipped a bit on defense, but can still hold his own. Los Angeles certainly wishes it had a reliable option to turn to, and Gordon would be the perfect answer.